Washing machine



June 6, 1939. N. H. WATTS 2,161,604

WASHING MACHINE Filed April 6, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Invent or Noble Hgvatts, by 7+ n "1 Attorneg.

June 6, 1939- N. H. WATTS WASHING MACHINE 2 H; a .m e a m w. mW 5 M a v WM m 5 3 m A \l -mvmvwvwvw t m X H m June 6, 1939. N, -r5 2,161,604

WASHING MACHINE Filed April 6, 1935 I5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fig.6.

Inventor l He em Noble HWatts, H N n 85 Hi Attorneg.

Patented June 6, was

UNITED STATES wasnmo moms Noble 1!. Watts. Bridgeport, -11., allignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application April 6, i935, Serial No. 15,666

"Claims.

My invention relates to washing machines of the type in which washing is eflected by agitating the liquid and material contained in a tub and in which the tub is subsequently rotated to centrifugally extract liquid from the material washed, thereby washing and drying in a single tub.

The object of my invention is to provide an ,4 improved construction and arrangement in a m washing machine of this type and articularly to provide an improved arrangement or driving and controlling the washing, rinsing, and extracting operations of the machine.

For a consideration of what I believe to be 1 novel and my invention, attention is directed to 'the accompanying description and the claims appended thereto.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of a washing machine embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional elevation taken through the agitator of the washing machine shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 isa sectional view taken on line H of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional elevation showing the gearing for driving the washing machine shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional elevation of the valve for controlling the flow of liquid to the machine; Fig. 6 isa diagram of the control for the washing machine; Fig 7 is a sectional plan view 4 taken on line 1-1 of Fig. 4; Fig. 8 is an exploded view of the overrunning clutch for coupling the power shaft to the rotatable housing of the gearing shown in Fig. 4; Fig. 9 is a top plan view a of the overrunning clutch; Fig. 10 is a developed elevation of the overrunning clutch showing the parts in the disengaged position; and Fig. 11 is a developed elevation of the overrunning clutch showing the parts in the engaged position.

Referring to the drawings, the washing machine embodying my invention comprises a cylindrical outer casing I having astiil'ening ring 2 at the lower edge thereof on which are carried supporting casters 2. Secured to the inner side of the reinforcing ring 2 are vertical legs 6 which support an annular base 5 having a depending side wall 6 secured to the upper ends of the legs 4. The side wall 6 is secured in spaced relation to the casing l' by bolts 1 which extend through rubber bushings s placed between the side wall and the casing. The top wall of the base 6 extends conically upward from the side wall 6 and terminates in ahorizontal flange 6, which deflnes a circular opening at the center of the base. Secured to the flange by bolts l6 and depending therefrom is a stationary housing ll for the driving gearing for the washing machine. This housing comprises a top plate lid and a cylindrical member i2 depending from the top plate. On the upper side of the base is a stationary 5 cylindrical tub II which is supported on the base at the outer edge by a rubber ring it and which is supported on the base at the center by a rubber pad ii. The upper edge l6 of the tub II is rolled and is secured to the upper edge ll of 10 the outer casing l by a ring it having a shoulder I! which flts between the abutting edges i6 and I! and which is held in place by a clamping ring 26. This arrangement for supporting the tub l3 holds the tub flrmly against the base in 15 spite of variations in dimensions of the tub, base, and outer casing. The upper end of the tub II is partially closed by a removable annular cover 2| having a depending flange 22 which frictionally engages the inner wall of the tub I! at the upper end and holds the cover 2i in place. The cover 2| has a central opening 26 which is closed by a removable cover 2|. During the normal operation of the washing machine, only the cover 24 need be removed for inserting or removing clothes from the washing machine. The cover 2| is removed only when it is necessary to clean the inside of the tub l2.

The top plate Ila of the stationary gear housing ll resiliently supports the lower end of a vertical tubular sleeve 25 by a mounting which comprises rubber rings 26 and 21 respectively, arranged on the lower and upper sides of a flange 26 on a sleeve 26a secured to the lower end of the sleeve 25. The inner edge of the ring 26 rests against the outside of tubular sleeve 29 secured to the plate Ha. The rings 26 and 21 are held in place by a cylindrical member 36 arranged around the outer edges of the rings and having an in-turned flange 3| at the top ex- 0 tending over ring 21 and having an out-turned flange 22' at the bottom secured to the plate II by bolts 32. The resilient mounting provided by the rubber rings 26 and 21 also provides a liquid tight seal which prevents leakage of liquid into the gear housing H. Surrounding the lower end of sleeve 26 and spaced therefrom is a vertical sleeve 36 secured at its lower'end to a flange 36 on the tub II and open at its upper end. The space between the outside of sleeve 66 and the w tub l3 provides a storage space for liquid which is ample for the machine, and which normally prevents liquid reaching the sleeve 26.

In the upper end of the sleeve 26 is a sleeve bearing 26 in which is iournalled the upper end a of a .shaft 31. The shaft 31 extends beyond the upperend of the sleeve and the projecting end 38 supports a nut 39 which is molded into the upper end of a flexible rubber sleeve 40. The projecting end 38 is provided with splines 4| in which fit complementaryprojections of the nut 33, thereby preventing relative rotation of the shaft 31 and the nut 39.

The rubber sleeve 40 depends from the nut 39 and at its lower end is bonded to the inner end of a cylindrical sleeve 42. The sleeve 42 is provided with a flange 43 which is riveted to the bottom wall of a rotatable tub 44. The tub is therefore supported by the rubber sleeve 40 and is coupled thereby to the shaft 31. The weight of the tube is carried by pre-stressed helical springs 45 which are embedded in the walls of the rubber sleeve 40. The springs 45 carry the weight of the tub and do not interfere with the flexibility of the sleeve 40 in a torsional direction. When the shaft 31 is oscillated through an arc of about 180 degrees, the tub remains substantially stationary due to the flexibility of the rubber sleeve 40. When the shaft 31 is rotated, the tub is rotated by the rubber sleeve 40. The rubber sleeve therefore provides a yieldable or lost motion connection between the shaft 31 and the tub, which permits oscillation of the shaft through an arc of about 180 degrees without oscillating the tub. The lower end of the rubber sleeve 40 is of slightly greater diameter than the upper end, and is spaced from the sleeve 25 sufficiently to allow the tub 44 to tilt or rock about the upper end of shaft 31 to accommodate itself to unbalanced loads when the tub is rotated. This feature lessens the vibration of the washing machine during rotation of the tub to extract liquid from the material contained in the tub.

The upper end of the rubber sleeve 40 is formed in the shape of a nut which fits into a complementary recess 46 formed in an agitator 41. The agitator is molded of rubber and comprises a tubular body portion 48 which extends downwardly around the rubber sleeve 40 and the cylindrical member 42, and terminates in a disk 49 at the bottom. Three vanes 50 project outwardly from the body portion 48 and upwardly rom the disk portion 49 and serve to agitate the liquid and the material contained in the tub 44 for washing the material contained therein. The upper end of the agitator is reinforced by an inverted cup 5| embedded therein, and the disk-shaped portion 49 and the blades 50 are reinforced by metal members 52 and 53 embedded therein. The agitator is directly connected to the upper end of the shaft 31 so that its movement follows the movement of the shaft 31. When the shaft 31 is oscillated, the agitator is therefore oscillated within the tub 44 and agitates the liquid and material contained within the tub 44 to effect the washing of the material. The vanes 50 are flexible and move sideways during washing and provide more effective washing. During the oscillation of the agitator the outside of sleeve 42 provides a bearing which guides the lower end of the agitator. When the shaft 31 is rotated, the agitator is rotated therewith and remains substantially stationary with respect to the tub throughout the extracting operation.

The tub 44 has an imperforate bottom wall from which extend outwardly flaring imperforate side walls 54. At the upper edge of the side walls is secured an inwardly projecting annular guard ring 55 having holes 56 therein. The guard ring is positioned slightly below the upper edge of the side walls. During the rotation oil-the tub to extract the liquid from the material contained therein, the liquid flows up the tapered siiie walls \54, through the openings 56, and out over the upper edge of the tub. The guard ring keeps the material within the tub during the extracting operation.

During the washing operation, a scum composed of lint and other foreign matter floats on the upper surface of the liquid contained in the tub, and if the extracting operation were started without removing this scum, this scum would be strained through the clothes and deposited thereon. To remove this scum prior to the extracting operation, I prefer to introduce an excess of liquid into the tub so that the scum will float over the edge of the tub. In order to retain the clothes within the tub while this excess of liquid is being supplied, the guard ring 55 is provided at its inner edge with an upstanding flange 51 having drain holes 58 therein. This excess of liquid is preferably introduced after the washing operation is completed since at this time the clothes are stationary in the tub and there is accordingly less difliculty in keeping the clothes within the tub while the scum is being floated over the edge of the tub.

The power for operating the washing machine is obtained from an electric motor 59 which comprises a stationary field member 53a secured to the lower end of the cylindrical member l2 of the stationary gear housing and a rotatable member 60' carried on a shaft 6i. The lower end of shaft 6| is supported in a. tapered roller thrust bearing 62 carried in a bearing housing 63. The upper end of shaft 6i is journalled in a sleeve bearing 64 carried in a sleeve 65 depending from a rotatable housing 66.. A seal 61 is provided between the lower end of bearing 64 and an inturned flange ll on sleeve 65 to prevent the leakage of lubricant from the interior of rotatable housing 66. The lower end of rotatable housing 66 is journalled in a roller bearing 65 carried around the sleeve 45 by bearing housing 10. The upper end of the rotatable housing 66 is carried in a roller bearing 1! flxed to the inside of sleeve 23. A sleeve 1la on the upper end of the housing bears on the inner surface of bearing 1i.

Planetary gearing for oscillating or rotating the shaft 31 is contained within the rotatable housing 66. This gearing comprises a helical sun gear 1") cut in the upper end of shaft 6i. This gear meshes with two gears 12 arranged on opposite sides of the gear 1"). The gears 12 are pressed over pinions 15 which are rotatable on pins 13 fixed to a heavy sub-plate 14 fastened to the bottom wall of rotatable housing 66. The teeth of pinions 15 act as keyways and serve to fix the gears 12 thereto. The pinions 15 project above the upper surface of gears 12 and mesh with gears 16 which are rotatably carried on pins 11, likewise flxed to the sub-plate 14. The gears 16 are provided with crank pins 16 on which are pivoted racks 19. The racks extend on opposite sides of shaft 31 and mesh with a pinion 44 secured to the lower end of the shaft. The racks are maintained in engagement with the pinion 8|! by a saddle 8i pivoted on the shaft 31 above the pinion 80. The crank pins 16 are placed so that the racks 13 are reciprocated in opposite directions when the gears 16 are rotated on the pins 11. Shaft 31 extends through the sleeve Na and is spaced from the inner walls thereof. No guide bearing is provided for the lower end of shaft 31, and the shaft is therefore free to float bearsnsos tween the inner walls of the sleeve lid. The racks ll therefore provide a universal Joint connection for transmitting power to the shaft 31. The lower .end of the shaft 81 rests on a strut 82 which is flxed to the sub-plate It at either end and extends diametrically across the subplate above the pinion lib in the upper end of shaft II. The upper end 02a of shaft ll rotates in an opening 02b in strut II. A spring llc prevents lifting of shaft I due to the upward thrust of helical gear lib.

The weight supported by shaft 31 is transmitted to the housing 60 through the strut II. This weight is equal to the weight of the tub 44 and of the liquid. and material contained in the tub. This weight is used to hold the rotatable housing it stationary in order to cause the shaft 31 to be oscillated. For the purpose, brake shoes II are flxed to the lower tapered edge 04 of the rotatable housing. These brake shoes cooperate with a tapered surface ll formed on the inside of the cylindrical member if of the stationary housing. When the housing is held stationary, the gears 12 and It are rotated on the housing. and the racks ll are caused to reciprocate thereby oscillating the shaft 31 and the agitator l'l connected thereto. With this arrangement, the braking force is proportional to the weight of the tub and contents. Excessive load on the motor is prevented since the housing 88 will slip under excessive load.

l 'or rotating the shaft 31, I have provided an over-running clutch shown in Figs. 8 to 11, inclusive, which lifts the rotatable housing 80 so that the brake shoes II are clear of the braking surface It and also couples the housing it to the motor shaft 6i so that it is rotated thereby at motor speed. When the housing It is rotated there can be no rotation of the gears II and It on the sub-plate II, and the shaft 31 is therefore rotated at the same speed as shaft ll. During this rotation, the racks ll transmit the torque to the shaft 31 and also provide a floating universal Joint connection between the racks and the shaft 01, which allows the shaft II to gyrate and thereby to decrease the vibration due to unbalanced loading of the tub ll. Spring 82c does not prevent this gyratory movement of shaft 31. The overrunning clutch comprises a hub It having an internal gear 01 formed therein which is adapted to flt over pinion lib and to secure the hub II to the shaft I. The hub is provided with a flange it having two ratchet teeth I! formed therein and having surfaces ll formed between the teeth sloping upwardly to the right, as viewed in Figs. 8, 10 and 11. The complementary member of the overrunning clutch is formed in a cylindrical recess Si in sub-plate it. At the upper end of this recess are two notches each terminating in stops 9! and OI and having surfaces 04 downwardly inclined to the right, as viewed in Figs. 10 and 11, between these stops. Tapered segmental keys 9! are arranged between the surfaces II and 94. When the shaft ii is rotated in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 8, the keys .5 are moved against stops N. and relative movement between the clutch members is permitted. During this movement, the brake shoes I! on the rotatable housing are held against the braking surface 85 on the stationary housing by the weight of the tub 44 and the contents therein. The braking force tending to hold the rotatable housing stationary is therefore proportional to the weight of the tub and the contents. When the shaft I is rotated in a counter-clockwisedirection, as viewed in Fig. 8, teeth It on the flange O engage the keys II and move the keys against stops 0!. Due to the tapering of surfaces II and .4. this movement lifts the housing so that the brake shoes II are clear of the braking surface ll and also couples the housing 06 to the shaft I. As explained above, the shaft 31 is now rotated at the same speed as shaft 6i, which is about 1750 R. P. M. in the machine shown. When the extracting operation is completed, the motor is shut down and shaft 6i stops rotating. Due to the mass of the tub and the contents, the tub will continue rotating and will move the keys ll of the overrunning clutch to the position shown in Fig. so that the rotatable housing '8 will again be lowered, and the brake shoes It will bear against the braking surface 85 and stop the rotation of the tub. Due to the removal of the liquid from the tub. the braking force will now be less and will cause less strain during the stopping of the tub. The gearing described above provides a simple and convenient arrangement for securing both an oscillating and rotating drive and also for braking the rotation of the extractor at the completion of the extracting operation.

Water is introduced into the tub through a flattened conduit 06 which extends from a pipe 91 projecting through an opening SI in the base 5 and through an opening 99 in the lower wall of tub I l. The upper end of conduit 96 is secured to the inside of tub it by a clamp I. The conduit 90 extends over the guard ring I of the tub and discharges through the open end III which is within the flange 51 on the guard ring.

The flow through the conduit 96 is controlled by a solenoid operated valve Hi2 having its discharge ifl connected to the pipe 91 by a flexible sleeve I and having its inlet I" connected to a pipe I06 which leads to a suitable water supply. The valve is of balanced construction so as to be unaffected by water pressure. It comprises a tube I 01 closed at its lower end and having ports III in the side walls thereof which communicate with a chamber I09. A tubular sleeve liil of magnetic material is slidable inside the tube Ill and is held against the bottom of the tube by a spring i ll arranged between the upper end of sleeve H0 and snap ring H2 at the upper end of tube iil1. While in this position, the sleeve iiil closes the ports I08 and prevents flow through the valve. The sleeve H0 is moved upwardly to uncover ports I08 by energizing a solenoid coil III which is arranged around the upper end of sleeve liil. While the col] III is energized, water flows from the pipe I through the ports I" to the conduit 96.

The liquid level in the tub is controlled in a manner hereinafter described, by a pair of electrodes I which are suitably supported within the flange 61 at the desiredliquid level. An inverted cup fits over the electrodes.

Waterwhich overflows from the tub I flows into the tub l3 and is drained therefrom through a discharge opening H5 at the lower end of the tub. The discharge opening is connected to a pipe ill which extends from the discharge opens ing ll! through an opening ill in the base i to the inlet opening H8 of a centrifugal pump. The impeller ll! of the centrifugal pump has straight blades so that it will pump when the impeller is rotated in either direction. The pump discharges through conduit I to a suitable drain. The impeller ii! of the pump is fixed to the lower end of motor shaft 6|, and a cup I2I carried by the bearing housing 63 forms the upper wall of the pump casing. Leakage from the pump to the bearing 62 is prevented by a suitable seal I22.

When the tub 44 is rotated to extract the liquid from the material contained therein, the material may be arranged so as to produce unbalance which will result in excessive gyration of the shaft 31 and the sleeve 25. This excessive gyration is prevented by a normally closed switch I23 which is supported on the inside of sleeve 34 by a bracket I24. This switch has an operating rod I23a which is engaged by the sleeve 25 when the gyration of the tub equals a predetermined value to open the switch. When this switch is opened, itshuts down the driving motor in a manner which will be hereinafter explained, and prevents further rotation of the tub.

During the extracting operation, it is desirable that the cover 24 be in place so that the operator cannot have access to the interior of the tub. To accomplish this result, I have arranged a normally open switch I25 on the pipe 96 having an operating rod I250. positioned so that it is engaged by the cover 24. This switch is closed when the cover 24 is in position. This switch is located in the circuit of the driving motor and prevents spinning of the tub when the cover 24 is removed.

The operation of the washing machine is controlled by cams I26, I21, I28, I29 and I30, which are fixed to a shaft I3I which is journaled in a bearing I32 in bearing housing I33. The shaft I3I projects beyond the bearing housing I33 and carries a sprocket I34 over which runs a chain I35. The chain I35 passes over a sprocket I36 which is fixed to a shaft I31 journaled in the upper wall of the outer casing I. A dial I38 is secured to the shaft I31 and can be used to manually rotate the shaft I3I and the controlling cams fixed thereto. At the right hand end of the shaft I3I is provided a slip clutch (see Fig. 6). This clutch comprises a collar I39 formed on the end of the shaft I3I and a collar I40 which is pressed against collar I39 by spring Hi. The collar I40 is slidably connected to shaft I43 by a pin and slot connection I42. The left hand end of shaft I43 is journaled within the right hand end of shaft I3I. Shaft I43 is rotated through a suitable gear train contained within housing I41 by a timing motor I48. The slip clutch is constructed so that it is possible to manually move the controlling cams by moving dial I38 when the timing motor I48 is running.

The control for the washing machine which is diagrammatically shown in Fig. 6 will now be described and the operation of the washing machine described in connection therewith. For convenience of illustration, the driving motor 59 is shown in this control diagram as a series motor having an armature i453 and two series fields I50 and I5I. When the field I50 is connected in series with the armature, the motor revolves in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1, and the agitator is oscillated in the tub, as explained above. When the field I5I is connected in series with the armature, the motor revolves in a counter-clockwise direction causing the tube 44 to be rotated to extract liquid from the material contained therein. The solenoid operated valve I62 shown in Fig. 5 is also diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 6.

When the parts are in the position shown in the control diagram, the driving motor 59 and the timing motor I48 are deenergized and the washing machine is not operating.

To operate the washing machine, the clothes or other material to be washed and the desired quantity oi. soap are placed in the tub 44 and the control dial I38 is moved to the position marked On thereby rotating the shaft ill in a clockwise direction so that proiection I49 on cam I28 momentarily closes normally open contacts I52, and control cam I30 closes normally open contacts I53. The momentary closing of contacts I52 completes a circuit through relay I54 and through the operating coil II3 of solenoid operated valve I02, which may be traced as follows: From one side of the line through conductor I56, contacts I52, conductor I51, relay I54, conductor I58, operating coil II3 of solenoid operated valve I02, conductor I59, conductor I60, contacts I6I, conductor I62, conductor I63, conductor I64, to conductor I65, which is connected to the other sideof the line. The completion of this circuit energizes the operating coil II3 of valve I02 and also causes the relay I54 to close contacts I66, completing a holding circuit for relay I54, short circuiting contacts I52, through a. circuit which extends from one of contacts I52 through conductor I51, contacts I66, and conductor I56, to the other contact I52. This holding circuit maintains relay I54 energized.

The energizing of operating coil II3 of solenoid operated valve I02 causes the valve I02 to be opened and permits liquid to flow from conduit I06 which is connected to the water supply through inlet opening I05 of the valve and from discharge opening I 03 of the valve to conduit 96 which discharges into the tub. The flow through the valve continues until the liquid level in the tub reaches electrodes H4 and completes a circuit across these electrodes. At this time, the clothes are immersed in a washing solution to the proper depth.

Closing the circuit across electrodes II4 completes the circuit through the relay I61, which may be traced as follows: From one side of the line through conductor I56, conductor I68, electrodes II4, conductor I69, relay I61, normally closed switch I23, conductor I10, contacts I53, conductor I1I, timing motor I48, and conductor I65, to the other side of the line. The completion of this circuit causes the relay I61 to open contacts I6I and to close contacts I12, I13 and I14. Opening contacts Ii6I, breaks the circuit through the operating coil II3 of valve I02 which allows the valve to be closed by spring III shutting off further flow of liquid to the tub. The circuit through relay I54 is also broken so contacts I66 are opened. The closing of contacts I12 completes the circuit from conductor I59 to conductor I63 which was previously completed by contacts I6I. The closing of contacts I13 completes a holding circuit through the relay I'61 maintaining the relay in its operated position.

The completion of the circuit through the timing motor I48 which is described above causes the timing motor to rotate the shaft I3I in a clockwise direction at a rate of about one revolution in 35 minutes. By moving dial I38 to the on position cam I26 was rotated to a position in which projection I15 closes normally open contacts I16. As soon as cam I26 is operated a circuit is completed through relay I11. This circuit extends from one side of the line through conductor I56, contacts I16, conductor I18, relay I11, and conductor I88, to the other side of the line. Theoperation of relay I11 closes contacts I18 and thereby completes a circuit through the driving motor." which causes the driving motor to rotate in a clockwise direction. as viewed in Hg. 1. This circuit extends from one side of the line through conductor I68, conductor I88, contacts I18, field winding I68, armature I88, contacts I18, conductor Ill, and conductor I68, to the other side of the line. While the motor is rotated in this direction, the agitator is oscillated in the tub to eiiect washing of the material con-' tained therein. The washing operation and the automatic operation of the machine is therefore initiated by the water level control electrodes II8. The washing operation continues as long as the projection I16 of cam I26 maintains contacts I16 closed. The timing motor is adjusted so that the shaft I8I makes one revolution in about 35 minutes, and the projection I18 on cam I26 holds contacts I16 closed for about 15 minutes which is the normal time for the washing operation. The washing time may be decreased by turning dial I88 in a clockwise direction so as to rotate cam I26 in a clockwise direction. The friction clutch between the shaft I8I and the shaft I88 permits this movement of shaft III while the timing motor I88 is running.

During the washing operation, a scum composed of lint and other foreign matter collects on the top of the liquid in the tub. If the extracting operation were started without first removing this scum, the scum would be deposited on the clothes. To prevent this, I prefer to float the scum over the edge of the tub by admitting an excess of liquid to the tub during the latter part of the washing and before extracting. This operation is controlled by projection I82 on cam I28. This projection closes normally open contacts I88 and completes a circuit through operating coil II8 of the solenoid operated valve I82. This circuit extends from one side of the line through conductor I66, contacts I88, conductor I68, coil I I8, conductor I68, contacts I12, conductor I68, and conductor I68, to the other side of the line. This circuit is maintained closed as long as the projection I82 holds contacts I88 closed. This time is about two minutes and immediateLv follows the washing operation. The completion of this circuit opens the valve I82 and admits water to the tub, which flows over the edge and carries the scum with it. The water admitted at this time-play be either hot or cold, depending on the water supply connected to the valve. I find it preferable to supply cold water, as this gradually decreases the temperature of the water in the tub and prevents contraction of the mesh of the fabrics which would trap dirt therein.

As soon as projection I82 moves beyond contacts I88, contacts I88 are separated, deenergizing the operating coil III and permitting the spring III to close the valve I82. The clothes are now ready for the extracting operation which is controlled by projection I88 on cam I21 which now closes normally open contacts I86 and completes a circuit through relay I86. This circuit extends from one side of the line through conductor I66, contacts I86, conductor I81, relay I88, and conductor I88. to the other side of the line. The completion of this circuit causes relay I86 to close contacts I88, completing a circuit through the driving motor which causes the motor to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. i. This circuit extends from one the position shown in the drawings.

side of the line through conductor I66, conductor I88, contacts I88, cover interlock switch I26, field winding I8I, armature I86, contacts I18, conductor III, and conductor I88, to theother side of the line. This circuit cannot be completed unless the cover 28 is in place so that switch I26 is closed. The completion of the circuit through the driving motor causes the driving motor to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1, and causes the rotatable tub to be rotated at the motor speed of about 1750 R. P. M. to extract the liquid from the material contained in the tub. This extracting operation is intended to remove the washing solution from the clothes and it is accordingly unnecessary that this extracting operation last long enough to completely dry the clothes. so that this extracting operation lasts for about two minutes. At the completion of the extracting operation, the motor is deenergized and the brake shoe 68 is lowered on braking surface 86, stopping the rotation of the tub.

At the completion of this extracting operation, projection I820 on cam I29 holds contacts I88 closed for about two minutes in the same manner as projection I82. As explained above, this completes a circuit through the operating coil I I8 of valve I82 which causes the valve to be opened and to admit liquid into the tub for about two minutes. I find that two minutes is a suflicient time to cause the tub to be filled. At the end of this time the circuit through operating coil III is broken because projection I 620. is moved past contacts I63, and valve I02 is closed by spring III. At this time projection I15a on cam I26 holds contacts I16 closed for about two minutes in the same manner as projection I16. During this time, the driving motor for the machine is rotated in a clockwise direction, and the agitator is oscillated in the tub. This operation rinses the washing solution from the clothes. As soon as the projection I160. moves past contacts I16, the circuit causing the driving motor to rotate in a clockwise direction is broken, and the motor is caused to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction by projection I88a on cam I21, which functions in the same manner as projection I88. While the motor rotates in a counter-clockwise direction, the tub is rotated at'motor speed to extract the liquid from the material contained therein. This extracting operation is times by projection I88a to last for about 12 minutes.

The projection I88 is arranged which is suflicient to dry the clothes for ironing.

If the arrangement of the clothes in the tub is too unbalanced, the tub will have excessive gyration during the extracting operation. Under this condition, the sleeve 25 engages operating rod I23a of switch I23 and opens the switch. This opens the circuit through relay I61 and permits the relay to drop from the raised position to Under this condition, the circuit through the driving motor for the machine is broken by the opening of contacts I18, and the circuit through the timing motor is broken by the opening of contacts I12. This shuts the machine down and also stops the rotation of the cams so that the automatic operation of the machine is stopped.

The machine may be started again after the excessive gyration has stopped by a normally open push button switch I66a. This switch is connected across conductors I66 and I6! respectively. When the switch is closed, a circuit is completed through the operating relay I61; This circuit extends from one side of the line through by the opening of switch I23, and the extracting operation and the automatic operation of the machine is resumed.

When projection I84a is moved past contacts I85, the extracting operation is stopped by the opening of contacts I85. The clothes are now in a dried condition. At this time, shaft I3I will have made a complete revolution returning I to the position shown in the drawings, and. the

parts will be returned to the position shown. In this condition, the washing machine is shut down and is ready for another cycle of operations.

As described above, the operation of the washing machine is entirely automatic. All the operator needs to do is to put the clothes and the desired quantity of soap in the tub and move the control dial I38 to the On position, thereby starting the operation of the machine. The machine then automatically fills the tub with water, washes, rinses, and dries the clothes and shuts down at the conclusion of the drying operation. The operator can then remove the dried clothes and insert another batch of clothes in the tub and repeat the automatic operation of the machine.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent in the United States is:

1. In a washing machine, a vertical shaft, a rotatable tub surrounding said shaft, means including a flexible sleeve supported by said shaft and extending therealong and spaced therefrom for resiliently supporting said tub for rocking movement relative to said shaft, and means including said shaft for rotating said tub to extract liquid from material contained in the tub.

2. In a washing machine, a vertical shaft, a rotatable tub surrounding said shaft, an agitator in said tub connected to said shaft, means for oscillating said shaft, means for rotating said shaft, and a coupling having limited flexibility in a torsional direction for connecting said shaft and said tub, the flexibility of said coupling permitting oscillation of said agitator in said tub when said shaft is oscillated for washing and said coupling causing said tub to be rotated by said shaft when the shaft is rotated for extracting liquid from the material contained in the tub.

3. In a washing machine, a vertical shaft, a

I rotatable tub surrounding said shaft, an agitator from the material contained in the tub.

4. In a washing machine, a vertical shaft, a rotatable tub surrounding said shaft, an agitator in said tub connected to said shaft, means for oscillating said shaft, means for rotating said shaft, and a tubular sleeve of resilient material having limited flexibility in a torsional direction around said shaft and extending therealong for connecting said tub and said shaft, and longitudinally extending springs embedded in said sleeve for transmitting the weight of said tub to said shaft, the flexibility of said sleeve permitting.

oscillation of the agitator in the tub when said shaft is oscillated for washing and said sleeve causing said tub to be rotated by said shaft when said shaft is rotated for extracting liquid from the material contained in the tub.

5. In a washing machine, a vertical shaft, a rotatable tub surrounding said shaft, an agitator in said tub connected to said shaft, means for oscillating said shaft, means for rotating said shaft, and a coupling having limited lost motion in a torsional direction for providing a lost motion coupling between said shaft and said tub and for resiliently supporting said tub for rocking movement relative to said shaft, said coupling having sufficient lost motion to permit oscillation of the agitator in the tub when said shaft is oscillated for washing and to cause said tub to be rotated by said shaft when said shaft is rotated for extracting liquid from the material contained in the tub.

6. In a washing machine comprising a rotatable tub adapted to receive washing liquid and material to be washed, means for agitating the liquid and material in the tub for washing, means adding fresh liquid to the washing liquid in the.

tub at the completion of the washing operation without substantially disturbing the surface of the washing liquid for causing scum to overflow from the tub, means for rotating the tub to extract liquid from the material contained in the tub, and control means for causing the operations following washing to take place automatically in the order named.

7. A washing machine comprising a rotatable tub, an agitator in said tub, a shaft for driving said agitator, a power shaft having a sun gear connected thereto, a planet gear'driven by said sun gear, means including a crank connected to said planet gear for driving said agitator shaft, a rotatable housing carrying said planet gear, brake means having a braking force proportional to the weight of the tub and the contents thereof for preventing rotation of said housing to cause rotation of said planet gear on said housing, means including said crank for oscillating said agitator in said tub during rotation of said planet gear on said housing, means releasing said braking and coupling said power shaft to said housing for rotating said agitator shaft, and means for rotating said tub from said agitator shaft during rotation thereof.

8. A washing machine comprising a rotatable tub, an agitator in said tub, a shaft for driving said agitator, a power shaft having a sun gear connected thereto, a planet gear driven by said sun gear, means including a crank connected to said planet gear for driving said agitator shaft, a rotatable housing carrying said planet gear and having a braking surface thereon, a complementary braking surface, means for transmitting the weight of said tub and the contents thereof to said housing for forcing the braking surface on said housing against the complementary braking surface to prevent rotation of said housing, means including said crank for oscillating said agitator in said tub when said housing is stationary, means lifting said housing for releasing the braking force on said housing, means coupling said power shaft to said housing for rotating said agitator shaft from said power shaft, and means forrotatingsaidtubfromsaidagitatorshaft during rotation thereof.

9. A washing machine comprising a rotatable tub,anagitatorinsaidtub,ashaftfordriving said agitator, a power shaft having'asun gear connected thereto, a planet gear driven by said simgeaaipeansincludingacrankconnectedto said planet gear for driving said agitator shaft, a rotatable housing carrying said planet gear and havingabrakingsurfacethereon,acomplementary braking surface, means for transmitting the weight of said tub and the contents thereof to said housing for forcing the braking surface on said housing against the complanentary braking surface to prevent rotation of said housing, means including said crank for oscillating said agitator in said tub when said housing is stationary, means for reversing the direction of rotation of said power shaft, means including an overrunning clutch between said power shaft and said housing for lifting said housing from said complementary braking surface during reversed rotation of said power shaft and for coupling said power shaft to said housing to cause rotation of said agitator shaft by said power shaft, and means for rotating said tub from said agitator shaft during rotation thereof. 1

10. A washing machine comprising a rotatable tub, an agitator in said tub, a rotatable housing.

a shaft for driving said agitator laterally movable relative to said housing, a pair of racks carried by said housing extending on opposite sides of said shaft, means including said racks for oscillating said shaft, means rotating said housing for {rotating said shaft through said racks, and means for, rotating said tub from said agitator shaft during rotation thereof.

11. A washing machine comprising a rotatable tub. an agitator in said tub, a rotatable housing. a shaft for driving said agitator laterally movable relative to said housing, a pair of racks carried by said housing extending on opposite sides of said shaft,a pinion on said shaft, means carried by said shaftforholdingsaidracksinmeahwith said pinion, means including said racks for oscillating said shaft, means rotating said housing for rotating said shaft, and means for rotating said tub from said agitator shaft during rotation thereof.

12.Inawashingmachine,averticalshaft,a rotatable tub surrounding said shaft, means including a flexible sleeve supported by said shaft and extending therealong and spaced therefrom forresilientlysupporting saidtubforrocking relativetosaid anagitatorconnected toaaidahaft, andmeansineluding said shaftforoscillatingaaidagitatorinsaidtubforwashing and for rotatingsaid tubtoextractliquidfromthematerialcontainedtherein,saidlast means including a driving connection between saidsh'aftandaaidwashingmeansandadriving connectionbetweensaidalnftandsaidtub.

13. In a washing machine, means for eii'ecting a washing operation, timing means for controlling said operation, manually operable means for conditioning said timing means for operation, and

means dependent both upon the liquid level in the machine and the conditioning of said timing means, for starting the operation of said timing means.

14. In a washing machine, a vertical shaft, a rotatable tub surrounding said shaft, means including a flexible sleeve supported by said shaft and extending therealong and spaced therefrom for supporting said tub for rocking movement relative to said shaft, said sleeve being fixed to said shaft at its upper end and fixed to said tub at its lower end, and means rotating said shaft for rotating said tub to extract liquid contained in the tub.

15. In a washing machine, a vertical shaft, a rotatable tub surrounding said shaft, an agitator in said tub connected to said shaft, means for oscillating said shaft, means for rotating said shaft, and a tubular sleeve of resilient material having limited flexibility in a torsional direction for connecting said tub and said shaft, said sleeve being fixed to said shaft at its upper end and fixed to said tub at its lower end, and longitudinally extending springs embedded in said sleeve for transmitting the weight of said tub to said shaft, the flexibility of said sleeve permitting oscillation of the agitator in the tub when said shaft is oscillated for washing and said sleeve causing said tub to be rotated by said shaft when said shaft is rotated for extracting liquid from the material contained in the tub.

16. In a washing machine having means for supplying liquid thereto, an automatic control for consecutively causing the supplying of liquid to the machine, the starting of the washing, and the stopping of the washing, comprising means for controlling the supply of liquid, timing means for controlling the time of a manually operable control member for conditioning said liquid supplying means and said timing means for operation, and means responsive, both to the completion of the liquid supplying operation and the setting of the manually Operable control member, for starting the operation of said timing means.

17. In an automatic washing machine, timing control means for eifecting the performance of a series of washing operations in timed sequence,

NOBLE H. WA'I'IS. 

